I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified
-- St. Paul, I Corinthians 2:2

Sunday, May 07, 2006

The Eucharist: God's Big Plan (First Communion homily)

Imagine this conversation,between God and an angel, and a long, time ago.God calls the angel over for a talk.

He says, "I’m putting together a planto save the human race.My Son is going to earth,to become one of them."

"Wow, that’s pretty impressive!"you tell God.

"Wait, there’s more.They’ll call him ‘Jesus’—and he will suffer and die—and rise from the dead!That’s going to show everyonethe true evil of sin,and also show themthere’s a way out of sin, back to life!

"Wow, that’s awesome,"the angel says to God.

"Yes, we think thiswill give the human racea totally new focus.They’ll know they can be forgiven;and that they can change!And, they won’t have to be afraidof suffering and death,they’ll know they can sharethe very life of God!

"That will give them hope!"

"That’s a really great plan,"the angel says to God.

"Well, there’s more.We think it won’t work,unless the human beingsare part of it, not just spectators.

"See, a lot of folks will come long afterJesus’ dies and rises again—and they need to be part of it, too!""Have you noticed," God says,"how the baby humanswant to touch everything?And, everything goes into their mouths!They love to eat!"

"So, I’m thinking: food!Food could really help the human raceget deeper into whatJesus is going to do for them."

"I’m thinking of using bread and wine."

But you ask,"God, how can bread and wine save them?"

"Well, it can’t!Bread and wine are nothingif that’s all they are!"

"So, would it be, like, a symbol?Like a picture on the wall?"

"No, a symbol can’t save them, either!It has to be really BE Jesus,or else it’s nothing!

"What they need is to eat and drinkthe life, and love,the suffering and dying, and rising, of Jesus!Eat and drink it.That’s how it’ll be real to them;That’s they’ll experience Himbeing part of them,and they’ll become part of Jesus!

"So," God says,"I want them to eat Jesus’ Body and Blood."

"But, God, that sounds kind of yucky…"

"Well, it is yucky," God says.But Jesus is going to suffer and die—it is his Body and Blood that will save them!They need to understand that.But—so they won’t be afraid,we will use bread and wine!

"It will truly be Jesus—because only Jesus can save them;but it will still look and tastelike bread and wine—so it will be pleasing and attractive.

"This is how they willliterally be united with Jesus!"

"Wow, God! That’s quite a plan!"

"Well, I’ve been working on it for all eternity,"God says with a smile.

But you have another question."Gee, isn’t all that a lotfor them to understand, all at once?"

"You’re right," God says."That’s why they won’t do it just once.They’ll need to receive Jesusover, and over, and over!"

"Even every day?"

"Yes, if they want to.Certainly every Sunday:that’s the ‘maintenance plan’:Mass every Sundayis how they’ll come to understandwhat Jesus did for them.

"Plus, Jesus will be presentin their churches, in the Eucharist.They’ll know how real he is!They’ll be able to bring their friends,and say, ‘See? Jesus is here! Jesus is real!We receive Jesus’Body and Blood in the Eucharist!

"What’s more, sharing the Eucharist this waywill show them a new way of living.

"When they come together at Mass,it’ll be everyone—rich and poor, black and white,grownups and children,healthy people, sick people—everyone!

"And they’ll realizethat only in Jesus can the world be one!And when they realizehow much God forgave them,they’ll be able to forgive one another."

So, finally, you ask:"Why are you telling me—just an angel—about this?"

"Because you’re going to be a guardian angel!

"Way in the future,in a place called Piqua,someone will be bornthat you’ll be responsible for!

"You will help that child grow up,and grow into,the life and love of Jesus Christ!And the Eucharistwill be absolutely central to that!

"Guardian angel,you will encourage that child:to come to Jesus in the Eucharist;not just one time,but week after week, even daily!

"I’m going to give that childa hunger for the Eucharist;I want you to keep reminding that child:‘Jesus is my Food; Jesus is my Life.’

About Me

I am the parish priest at Saint Remy Parish in Russia, Ohio, in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
What appear to be my opinions expressed herein are, in fact, my opinions, no one else's. Those in the comments belong to the commenters.